Curl remover



April 12, 1960 R. M. INGHAM, JR 2,932,149 CURL REMOVER Filed Aug. 21, 1957 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 F/G' INVENTOR.

ROBERT M. INGHAM,JR.

V ama KM ATTORNEY April 12, 1960 Filed Aug. 21, 1957 l OI R. M. INGHAM, JR

CURL REMOVER 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 I l 3 l9 INVENTOR.

ROBERT M. l NGHA M JR.

ATTORNEY April 12, 1960 Filed Aug. 21, 1957 R. M. INGHAM, JR 2,932,149

cum. REMOVER 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR. ROBERT M. l NGHA M, JR.

AT TORN EY tion.

United States Patent 2,932,149 CURL REMovER liiiiilt iizseitit ill aiafir, S.C., a corporation of Delaware 7.

Application August 21, 1957 Serial No. 679,480

reclaims. 0.57 54) y This invention relates to a novel arrangement for aiding" 1n the removal of yarn curls formed about the base .of a

rotatable spindle. a I

In the art of winding yarn onto bobbins or other yarn carriers supported on spinning or twisting spindles or .the like, one present practice is to spin a few turns of yarn onto the spindle proper immediately vbelow the yarn carrier, such as a bobbin, at the lower end of the plied to a conventional spinning arrangement employing conclusion of winding of the yarn package onto the bobbin in order to provide for continuation, of the yarn onto the next empty bobbin to be donned onto the spindle after dofiing of the full bobbin. The dotting of the full package thus leaves few turns of yarn on the spindle, and upon the placing of a new empty bobbin onto the spindle the yarn is then wound from this starting point around the bobbin, thus leaving the several turns, which may be" called curls wrapped around the spindle. If these curls are not removed periodicallythey will accumulate to the point .of forming a large mass which is j and often requires the shutdown of quite" troublesome the-entire frame'in order to clean the spindles and obtain proper operation thereof. Whileattempts have been made in the past to solve this problem, to my knowledge none of these attempts have been entirely satisfactory.

Accordingly his a major feature of this invention to provide an arrangement for removing, or aiding in the removal of, the curls or turns formed on spindles or the like beneath the lower end of the bobbin or other carrier. l

-A further feature of this invention isto provide a curl remover for spindles, which is operable either at a selected time after the beginning of the spinning, twisting or winding operation either manuallyby the operator or at a substantially predetermined time thereafter automatically. V p r Still a further feature is to provide a curl removing arrangement for spindles and the like which is deactuated.

by the operation of the ring rail or other analogous part of theapparatus at the end of each package formation cycle. v 7

'Stil lbther features and many attendant advantages of the invention will become apparent to 'oneskilled in the art from'a reading of the followingdetailed descrip tion' of several embodiments according to the invention, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein: I v

Figure 1 is a schematic illustration in partial section of one embodiment constructed in accordance with the invention.

Figure 2 is a schematic illustration in partial section showing the curl remover in operative curl removing posi Figure 3 is a fragmentary view memberzof- Figures land 2.

:Figure 'lis an illustration in partial section ofa-modi-Z fiedzembodiment of the invention.

Figure '5 is a schematic illustration in partial. section it of the yarn severing shown in'Figure 'Z. *In the'lowermost position of *the a ring rail 11 having a ring holder 13, ring 15,'and traveler 17, within which ring is concentrically mounted a spindle 19 which'may be rotatably driven through means of a Patented Apr. 12, 1950' belt, not .shown, engaging a whorl 23, formed at the.

ately above the whorl 23 which is preferably of straight cylindrical form, although such may be tapered if desired provided the cutter axis is then mounted parallel to the taper. a. A bobbin 29, having a spacer sleeve 31, of rubber, plastic or other suitable material, formed onits lower:

open end, is removably fittedonto-the spindle with its:,

lower end portion extending down over the cylindrical. neck 21 of the spindle. The bobbin is preferably of the top drive type, but may be driven through jthe 'medium of the sleeve 31, or otherwise, if desired. By virtue of the sleeve 31 the lower end of the bobbin is separated.

from the periphery of the neck 21 to form a small annular space.

A yarnsevering member. is movably mounted on the,

spindle rail 25, and preferably takes the form of .a cutter 33 which is formed or secured to an arm 35 fixedly mounted on the plunger rod 3-9 of a dashpot arrangement 37 which may be suitably mounted as by securing screws, welding, or otherwise as desired, on the outer side of the spindle rail 25. In the illustrated and preferred example the cutter 33 takes the form of a flat arcuate blade extending in the longitudinal direction of the spindle axis and having its cutting surface extending along a longitudinal edge thereof. The arm 35 may be mounted for adjustment longitudinally of the plunger as. through the use of a set screw'41. V

In theillustrated example the dashpct arrangement comprises a cylinder 43 having plunger 45 recipro'eably adjustable air valve 4-9, of conventional constructiom'is provided in the lower'end of the cylinder 43. Adjust-* ment of valve 49 determines the rate of return travel of the neck 21 of spindle 19. Inthe uppermost position of the plunger 45 the arm 35 is preferably slightly beneath the plunger 45 in the upward direction, and is thus a determining factor in the time delay which occurs between the beginning of each winding cycle and the time when the curls are severed. The-yarn severing member 33 is arranged closely adjacent, but preferably not touching,"

her or portion 33 thereon being preferably within the-- space formed between the bobbin and the neck 21, as

severing member andplunger, the severing member is completely out ot 1operative' relation in respect of .the

bobbin 29.and .:is beneath the lowermost dofling curl: to:

be formed on the 'neck 21 of the spindle, .asshown i I 1. I l j v U apparatus let it be assumed that a full bobbin has just been completed. In this position the ring rail will have been'lowered to a position with the ring' 15 and traveler 17' beneath the lower end of the bobbin 29' so as to form the doifing curls C. At this time and by this action the ring rail (or some part thereon, such as ring holder 13) will have engaged the plunger rod 39 to which the cutter is connected and will have lowered the cutter to its inoperative position. In this position the cutter is beneath the lowermost curl formed by the traveler 17. The full package is doifed, leaving the doffing curls C on the neck 21 of the spindle, as shown in Figure 1.

'Upon the movement of the ring rail upwardly to begin the regular traversing stroke along the longitudinal length of'the bobbin 29, the cutter 33 will begin a gradual up wardmovernent along the neck 21 of the spindle under the action of the spring 47 in the dashpot arrangement 37. After a predetermined period of time, determined by the adjustment of valve 49, the cutter 33' will reach the position shown in Figure 2 and will cause the yarn connection between the curls C and the yarn on the bobbin 29 to be severed. It will be apparent that the most advantageous action in this instance will be a cutting action; however, it is within the scope of the invention to em ploy a breaking action at this point, and thus an element other than a cutter 33 may be employed to break the yarn at this point since the breaking action occurs by virtue of the rotation of the bobbin 29 and spindle 19'- bringing the yarn directly and forcibly into engagement with the cutter which is extending within the space formed between the neck 21 and the lower end of bobbin 29. The severed curls C which are now loose upon the neck 21 fly off in the usual case substantially immediately from the neck 21 by virtue of the rotation of the spindle 19 and due largely to centrifugal force and air resistance. In the event that such are not removed automatically at some point during the windingof the bobbin from which they are severed, they will substantially always fly off at least during the winding of thenext or one of the next few succeeding bobbins, although in some very few instances manual removal by the operator may be necessary. This latter is not the usual case, however, the normal and usual operation being a substantially immediate self-removal of the curls through the continued rotation of the spindle 19. The cutter may be left in this upper position for the entire remainder of the winding process for forming the package on the bobbin 29, if so desired. At the conclusion of the winding cycle, the ring rail 11 is lowered to the position shown in Figure 1, whereupon the cutter 33 is lowered beneath thelowermost of the doffing curls as mentioned above. The cycle of. operations may then be repeated, andsuch maybe repeated asoften as desired.

,In Figure 4, an arrangement similar tothat of Figures 1-3 is shown, but incorporating a simpler and preferred dashpot and mounting arrangement therefor. In this modification the dashpot 50'has a-molded body cylinder '1 of plastic, metal, or the like whichis removably secured to a mounting bracket plate 53 as through the medium of securing screws 55. Bracket plate 53 has a -laterally offset aperture 57 therein which encircles in complementary relation the spindle supporting base 59 which is of standard construction. In the illustrated example the bracket plate 53 is secured between a rubber washer and the spindle rail 25.

The severing member 33' and offset arm 35" is laterally} adjustably secured in a transverse slot in plunger 61 as byEa set screw 63. Adjustment of rate of upward movement of the plunger 61 is accomplishedlby. adjustment ofa'screw65, and washers 67"ofv felt or;similar air-.

permeable filter material serve to keep foreign particles.

suchas dust, lint, etc., out of the air passageway formed between the threads of the tapped hole .in .the. plate 53 and the threads on screw 65. v

A modification, in which the actuation of the cutter may be manually accomplished, is illustrated in Figure 5, although such may also beconstructed for automatic actuation if so desired. In this arrangement the cutter 69 is formed integrally with offset arm 71 as by suitably machining or forming the radially inner end of the arm to effect a cutting end slightly upturned, although the cutter may be identical to the cutter 33 of Figure 1, if

desired. The arm 71 is secured, as by a set screw 73, to a bar 75 which is slidably reciprocably mounted within a bracket 77 suitably secured to the front side of'the spindle rail 25. The bar 75 has a pin 79 extending there- ,through with a thrust washer 81 in engagement therewith.

A compression spring 83 is mounted in surrounding relation about the bar and extends between the washer 81 and the bottom wall of the bracket 77. The bar 75 has adjustably secured at its lower end, as by a set screw 85,

,a three-quarter collar 87 for the purpose of forming a stop to determine the upper or released position of the cutter 69.

A spring latch 89 is mounted on the outermost side of the front or outer wall of bracket 77 and engages with a notch 91' formed in the adjacent side of the bar 75. The spring latch serves to retain the cutter in its cocked position against the action of the spring 83 until' such time as it is desired to release the severing member and permit it to move into severing position adjacent the lower edge of the bobbin 29. This release may be accomplished either manually or automatically through the action ofa release bar 93 extending laterally betweenthe spring latch 89 and the adjacent outer face of the bracket 77. Movement of the release bar 93 laterally and/or angularly so as to move the spring latch- 89 laterally outwardly effects release of the latch from the notch 91 and thus permits the compression spring 8310 move the bar 75 and severing member 69,.71 immediately upward into yarn severing position at the lower edge of the bobbin 29. As stated, this action may take place through automatic apparatus or may be accomplished manually by an operator, and in either case, suchmay be accomplished at any desired time after the package 'has begun to be formed on the bobbin 29.

It will be apparent that the release bar 93 may be a long bar pivotally supported on the spinning frame as f indicated at 95 and which extends through a plurality of spring latches for a corresponding plurality of spindle positions, as shown for instance in Figures 5 and 7, whereby lateral pivotal movement of the release bar, as by movement of handle 97, will simultaneously release the yarn severing member for each of the spindle positions.

The lowering or cocking of the yarn severing member 69, 71 is similar to the-cocking of the cutter of the first embodiment. As in the first embodiment the ring rail is lowered at the end of the package winding cycle to apoint beneath the lower end of the bobbin 29 at the conclusion of the winding of the package onto the;

bobbin. During this time the cutter 69 is lowered through the engagement of a portion of the ring rail, such as the ring holder'13, with the bar 75, and the curls Care formed on the neck 21 of the spindle. At'the lowermost position of the ring rail the spring latch 89 engages' the' notch 91, thus locking the cutter 69 in its lowermost positlon. The subsequent movement of the ring 'rail 1'1 in its traversing stroke along the length of the newly donned bobbin 29 may then be accomplished in the usual manner, with the cutter being retained in its lowermost position until such time as it is desired to actuate the saineforcutting of the connection between the curls C and the package being'wound on the bobbin 29.

'- While his most :desirable to employ a straight neck 21 for the spindle 19 in order to permit the cutter to move in close adjacency to the neck and along astraight path parallel to the axis of 'thespindle, it is feasible to pro vide ataperedI or other shaped 'spindle neck: for holding of the curls C, in which case the movement of the' cutter neckthe cutter might be made to move along an oblique" line from an outermost position upwardly and toward the axis-of thespindle. It will be noted that it is not necessary for the cutter to completely follow the configuration of the neck butnormally it is desirable to assure that the cutter does not materially engage the neck at anypoint along its travel soas to cut or mar the neck of the spindle orbreak the cutter. It may sometimes be feasible,- however, to have the cutter actually, come into contact with the neck either in a part or along the whole length of travel, although it is normally most desirable that such not beathe case, particularly in order to provide for most advantageous functionand'lo'nger life of the various parts. The same is true for therelation of the cutter to the lower edge of the bobbin, wherein the supporting arm upper surface adjacent the cutter may be allowed to engage the lower edge of the bobbin as may the cutter itself engage the bobbin and/or the neck of the. spindle between the neck and the bobbin in the. annular space therebetween. For the proper operation of the device, however, it is not necessary "that any engagement of these parts take .place, as the severing action will occur through the engagement of the cutter or severing member 33 (or. 69, Figure with the yarn extending between thebobbin and the curls C.

While the preferred. and most advantageous arrangement employs a bobbin and spindle relation wherein aclear annular space is formed between the lower edge of the bobbin and the neck of the spindle, it is not absolutely necessary that such be constructed in this manner, as'for instance the cutter may be made to engage and sever progressively the several yarn curls as it moves longitudinally of the spindle. For such a mode of operation. a yarn severing member similar to that of Figure 5 would be advantageous, or other suitable configurations might be employed as desired.

Although the above illustrated examples utilize the ringrail as the cocking medium for the reciprocable yarn severing members, it will be appreciated that other elements of the frame may be employed to effect this function. For instance, the conventional reciprocably moving thread board or its moving mechanism, may be adapted to cock or deactuate the severing element or elements; or other elements designed particularly for this purpose might be employed, if desired. However,-it will be; apparent that the utilization of existing elements'insofar as possible is the most highly advantageousarrangement in most instances, and such is therefore the preferred mode of practice of the invention,

- I n .a further embodiment according to theinvention, as

illustrated in Figure 8, the curl severing member is moved; 1

- into'curl-severing position by the. movement of one or more of; the conventlonal reciprocably driven members of a standard spinning or twister; frame, in the present instance the movement-imparting member being the thread board lifter rod or rods 99. Mounted onthe longitudinally'spaced thread board lifter rods 99 is a channel member-101 running behind and parallel to the spindlerail 25. The channel member 101 is free to slide with vertical'motion relative to the lifter rods and is'supported in operative position thereon by a collar 103 on each lifter rod, which collars are suitably adjustably fixed on,the rods' 99 asby set screws-105. Preferably, a compression spring 107 may be provided between each collar 103 and the; channel .101',-toget h'er witha positive upper stop 109, which stop 109 may be vertically adjustable in any desired manner-I The'advantage of th'eqemployment of (the spring; 107 lies in the fact. that the cutting or severing member may be continued 'vious examples.

carrier having an open base end,

for moving said severing member the top height of the severing members 111,113, and thus no interference withthe bobbins 29 on the spindles Secured to the channel member 101 at each spindle 19 is a cutter support leg 111' which in the instant example extends forward to the spindle rail 25 and then angles upwardly directly behind the spindle 19 and to about Me inch above the top side ofthe whorl 23. A cutter 113 is secured to the upper end of the leg 111 as in the pre- The bottom position of the cutter assembly 101, 111, 113, is set by the support legs 111- resting'on the spindle rail 25, and the whole cutter assembly remains at this position until near the end of the spinning cycle (for filling and combination winds) when the frame builder motion will have raised the thread board lifter rods 99 to or'near their maximum height, as through the medium of the conventional lifter rod arm 115 and shoe 117, and theyarn has practically filled the bobbin. In warp wind builds this upper position of thelifter rods 99mayoccur periodically a number of times during the course of the wind; however, only the first occurrence is normally necessary to effectcomplete severance. A't-this upper position of the lifter rods, the collars .103 will have raised the .channelmember 101 and severing members 111, 113 into curl severing position as described in connection with the previously described embodiments. Thus each cutter 113 will be raised to extend between the. bobbin bottom ferrule and the spindle 19,

and continued rotation of the spindle effects severing of the yarn between the doffing curls and the bobbin, freeing the curls which then fly off the spindles as previously described, leaving the spindles bareland ready forthe next doif.

It will be apparent that various other modifications and alternatives, may be employed within the scope and spirit of the invention, and that the above described embodiments are merely given for the purpose of illustration. Accordingly it will be understood that the invention is not to be limited by the specific illustrated embodiments described herein, but only, by the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In combination, a support, a spindle rotatably mounted on said support and adaptedto receive a yarn a traversing member reciprocable longitudinally of said spindle, a yarn severing member rotatably free of said spindle and reciprocably mounted adjacent the base of said spindle for movement substantially longitudinally of said spindle, and means longitudinally toward the normal position for said open base end ofa yarn carrier as normally mounted on said spindle.

2. In combination, a support, a spindle rotatably mounted on said support and adapted to receive a. yarn carrier having an open base' end, a traversing. member reciprocable longitudinally of said spindle, a yarn severing member reciprocably mounted adjacent the base. of said spindle for movement substantially longitudinally of said spindle, and means for moving said severing member longitudinally toward the normal position for said open base end of a yarn carrier as normally mounted on said spindle, said traversing member being engageable with said severing member to a point past the normal traversing stroke of said traversing member to render said severing member inoperative.

3. The combination according to claim 1 wherein said spindle base is of substantially straight cylindrical external configuration along the path of said yarn severing member, said yarn severing member being movable along a path substantially parallel with the. longitudinal surface of the adjacent portion of said path.

4. In combination, a support, a spindle rotatably mounted on said support and adapted to receive a yarn carrier having an open base end, a traversing member reciprocable longitudinally of said spindle, a yarn sever- 7 ing member reciprocably mounted adjacent the base of said' spindle for movement substantially longitudinally of said spindle, and means for moving said severing member longitudinally toward the normal position for said open base end of a yarn carrier as normally mounted on said spindle, a bobbinhaving an open base end and adapted to be mounted on said spindle, said lower base end .of said bobbin being of larger internal diameter than the adjacent outer diameter of said spindle base with the bobbin fully sealed on said spindle, whereby an annular open space is formed between said spindle base and the base end of said bobbin, and aspacer member between said bobbin'and said spindle and 1ongitudinally spaced from the base end of said bobbin, said severing member having a portion thereof adapted to extend into said annular open space to effect severing action on a yarn curl extending between said spindle;

base and the exterior of said bobbin.

5. The combination according to claim 1, wherein said last named means includes a rod movable longitudinally of said spindle and operatively connected to said sever-.

ing member.

6. In combination, a support, a spindle rotatably mounted on said support and adapted to receive a yarn carrier having an open base end, a traversing member reciprocable longitudinally of said spindle, a yarn severing member reciprocably mounted adjacent the base of i said spindle for movement substantiallylongitudinally of said spindle, and means for moving said severing member longitudinally toward the normal position for said 7. The combination according to claim 6, wherein said rod is a thread board lifter rod, and means for moving said rod during rotation of said spindle. I

8. In combination, a support, a spindle rotatably mounted on said support and adapted to receive a yarn carrier having an open base end, a traversing member reciprocable longitudinally of said spindle, a yarn severing member reciprocably mounted adjacent the base of said spindlefor movement substantially longitudinally of said spindle, and means for moving said severing member longitudinally toward the normal position for said open base end of a yarn carrier as normally mounted onsaid spindle, a dashpot having a plunger, and spring means biasing said plunger longitudinally in the direction of the free end of said spindle, said severing member being carried by said plunger.

9. The combination according to claim 8, whereinsaid dashpot has a threaded valve adjusting means, and a filter associated with, said adjusting means and adapted to prevent the entry of lint,'dust, or the like therein.

10. The combination according to claim 1, further comprising a bracket plate having an aperture therein and surrounding said spindle, said yarn severing member and means for moving said severing member being mounted on said bracket plate laterally of said support, said bracket plate being removably secured to said support. 11. In combination, a support, a spindle rotatably mounted on said support and adapted to receive a yarn carrier having an open base end, a traversing member reciprocable longitudinally of said spindle, a yarn severing member reciprocably mounted adjacent the base of said spindle for movement substantially longitudinally of said spindle, and means for moving said severing member open base end of a yarn carrier as normally mounted longitudinally toward the normal position for said. open base end of a yarn carrieras normally mounted on.

said spindle, resilient means resiliently biasing said severing member longitudinally of said spindle toward said bobbin base, and means tending to restrain the move-' ment of said severing member toward said bobbin base.

12. The combination according to claim ,11 wherein.

14. In combination a support, a spindle rotatably.

mounted on said support and adapted to receive a bobbin, a bobbin adapted to be fitted onto said spindle and having an open base end, a yarn severing member movably mounted adjacent the supported end of said spindle,

aspring operatively associated with said severing member and tending to move said severing member toward said base end of said bobbin, said severing member being movable longitudinally along said supported end ofi said spindle, and means adapted to move said severing member against the action of said spring and away from said open base end of said bobbin.

15. The combination according to claim 14 further comprising a ring rail, said ring rail being normally out of operative association with said severing member, said ring rail having a part thereon selectivelymovable into operative relation with said severing member to move said severing member away from said base end of said bobbin.

16. The combination according to claim 14 wherein said severing member is a cutting blade disposed with its cutting edge extending longitudinally of said spindle and substantially tangential to a circle having the axis of said spindle as a center.

17. The combination according to claim 14 further comprising a slidably movable non-circular member, said severing member being adjustably secured to said slidably movable member in laterally offset relation therefrom, and means forming a guide slot for guiding the member and tending to move said severing member in a direction toward said free end of said spindle, and

meansadapted' to move said severing member against the action of said resilient means in a direction away from said free end of said spindle and to an inoperative position.

20. The method of removing curls formed on a spindle" neck and connecting between the neck of the spindle and a bobbin on said spindle, comprising severing the yarn connection between said curls and the yarn" on said bobbin while said spindle is running, said severing being effected beneath the lower end of said bobbin and betweenthe circumferential periphery of the base of said bobbin and the adjacent neck portion of said spindle1- References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,523,859

Bradish Sept/26.1950 

